Children's Home run by Keys Nhcc Ltd in Shropshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC020607 1 SC020607

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New Horizons Childcare Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company that operates a number of children’s homes across the country owns this home. This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children and young people who have social and emotional difficulties. The manager was registered with Ofsted in February 2017. She holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged to be good at the full inspection on 5 and 6 September 2018. One requirement was made as a result of that inspection. This requirement related to improving the exterior of the home. This requirement was not due for completion until 31 October 2018 and was therefore not considered as part of this inspection. This monitoring inspection visit took place because Ofsted was notified of significant incidents taking place at the home. These notifications were made by the provider. These notifications gave rise to concerns about the quality of care provided for young people and the arrangements for safe and effective care, particularly around matching the placements of young people and missing from home episodes. When the home was last inspected, there was one young person in the home. Subsequently, an additional young person was admitted to the home. Since this time, there has been a significant increase in missing episodes, with increased

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This monitoring visit

concerns around child sexual exploitation. Managers have not demonstrated good enough risk awareness when deciding to admit new young people. Consideration of the vulnerability of a young person already living at the home has not been effective. Young people have engaged in risk-taking behaviour as a result of being in placement together. This has resulted in both young people being involved in a serious incident which is being investigated by the appropriate agencies. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC020607 2 Additional staffing was put in place. However, these measures were reactive to incidents that had already occurred. The failure to ensure adequate matching of the young people has resulted in failures to ensure that young people are safe and that their welfare is promoted. However, staff responses to young people who go missing from care have been good. Staff have worked with the police and placing authorities to locate young

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This monitoring visit

people. Staff follow young people when they go missing. Staff also ensure that young people who return from missing from care episodes are offered the opportunity to speak with an independent person. When this has not been arranged by the placing authority, this has been appropriately escalated. There have been some physical interventions since the last inspection. All have been for appropriate reasons and staff have used minimal restraint methods at all times. Appropriate debriefs have been undertaken with young people and staff. Managers have reflected upon these incidents and have indicated that they will use their learning to ensure that care provided to young people improves and that matching of young people is very carefully considered.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/09/2018 Full Good 20/02/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/09/2017 Full Good 21/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC020607 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6(1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i)) In particular, the exterior of the home requires redecoration and repair. 31/10/2018

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)) 14/12/2018

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Recommendations

 Children should be encouraged to develop positive relationships with others. Staff should be alert to the possibility that children may be at risk from such relationships, including with other children in the home, staff, family members, friends and others outside the home, and they therefore should take appropriate steps to protect a child where there are concerns for a child’s safety. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.13) In particular, when matching placements, consider the need to look at the differing levels of vulnerability of each young person.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC020607 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Horizons Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, 2nd Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, Worcestershire B63 4AH

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Inspector

Annemarie Parker, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC020607 5 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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